When it comes to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the world often looks back on the opening ceremony and the grandeur it offered. Who wouldn’t want to look back at how magnificent the Games were? On the other hand, nothing can beat watching your favorite athletes step onto the world’s biggest stage. Such was the case with table tennis champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng. The power-packed duo turned heads at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. 

Their incredible performances in the men’s and women’s singles, as well as the team events, left the world dazzled. So much so that they went on to clinch gold in every event they contested in. But as the dust settles on their stunning victory in the French capital, both have left Chinese table tennis fans gobsmacked with some pretty shocking news. What could have gone down merely 5 months after their mind-blowing performances in Paris?

Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng make a shocking announcement

The Summer Games had its own fill of drama, victory, and utter chaos. Yet nothing could have prepared fans for what happened recently. On December 27, Fan Zhendong took to his Weibo page, sharing a copy of his ‘Player Career Retirement Notification.’ What does that entail, you ask? This particular notice bars him from events sanctioned by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). The 27-year-old stated that the Paris cycle caused a huge psychological strain on him. 

Even though he successfully clinched an Olympic gold, the table tennis star reiterated that his future for now included his participation in the National Games. However, the Olympian confessed that he would pull out of the world rankings. “Recently, the WTT (World Table Tennis) has announced new rules imposing fines for non-participation,” he added. Given how he couldn’t afford them, the 27-year-old believed it would only make sense to withdraw. 

Bear in mind this doesn’t mean that he’s retiring. No, he isn’t considering that decision at all. He couldn’t fathom staying away from table tennis or sports in general. Fan Zhendong reiterated that he would continue contesting in different competitions. The only difference is that he will steer clear of WTT meets from here on. According to the regulations, WTT would require players to participate in competitions based on their World Ranking.

However, players are allowed to withdraw thrice. If this took place in the same year, they would be fined $250, along with a $500 fine for seeded players. However, he wasn’t the only one who felt that way. What did Chen Meng have to say? The 30-year-old shared a signed copy of the same letter on her Weibo page as well. She reiterated that the pressure she experienced mentally and physically leading up to the Games required her to adjust her physical condition.

According to her statement, the Olympian confessed that her body couldn’t bear numerous high-intensity events. Due to this, she signed the document on Monday and made the difficult decision of withdrawing from the world ranking as well. On the other hand, Meng reiterated that her love for table tennis hadn’t dwindled in the least. The table tennis star looked forward to meeting everyone on the court. But wait, there’s more!

The plot continues to thicken

The French table tennis player Simon Gauzy tweeted at WTT asking them to make good resolutions since it’s never too late. However, in a twisted turn of events, a table tennis fan addressed the fiasco on X. “Dear Simon athletes, this a statement issued by WTT on the Chinese Internet platform on the withdrawal of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng. It includes interpretations and supplements to the provisions of WTT. Please check and judge whether it is reasonable and malicious. Bless you,” he shared. 

However, this wasn’t it. He also shared two images offering more insight into the WTT’s position on the matter with the message. So, what did the WTT have to say? In a bid to clarify several points about the recent controversy. They first addressed the rules regarding the automatic entry into top-tier events such as WTT Grand Smashes and Finals. Yet, they admitted that these weren’t new. They had been in place since WTT’s creation. 

The main goal behind this was to ensure the best players participated in major events. On the other hand, they reiterated that penalties were to maintain the integrity of the events and that fans, organizers, and broadcast partners could rely on top-level competition. So what do fans have to look forward to hereon? The 2025 WTT Handbook introduces a few key changes. This included an overall 20% increase in prize pools and adjustments to fines for withdrawing from WTT events in favor of non-WTT events.

But here’s where things get interesting. The new rules don’t impose fines on players who withdraw from a WTT event but on those who compete in a non-WTT event during the same week. On the other hand, the 2025 calendar will soon be confirmed, helping players plan their schedules in a better way. With this, they emphasized that they are committed to maintaining a fair and competitive environment while supporting the players. They ended their statement with some wishful thinking – the hope that Fan and Chen would return to WTT events in the future.

While Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng have withdrawn from the world standings, it went beyond the fines. The Olympic duo achieved the highest honors they could in their sport at just 27 and 30. However, this only came about because of an extremely grueling schedule for years. After racking up impressive accolades, they want to cut back on their schedules and take on a more laid-back life outside of the sport. While they won’t be quitting table tennis entirely, stepping back seems only natural for them. What do you think of their decision?